Israeli military expects Hamas war to last all of 2024

The Israeli military is expecting its war with the militant group Hamas to continue through all of 2024.

Israel is approaching the three-month mark of its war in Gaza with Hamas, which launched an unprecedented, deadly attack on the country on Oct. 7. Since the war began, thousands of Palestinians have been killed and millions have been displaced due to Israel’s attacks targeting Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and has indicated that the war is far from over. He said over the weekend that there would be “many more months” of fighting as Israel expands its offensive in Gaza.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement that the Israel-Hamas war would last all of 2024. He said that the “objectives of the war require prolonged fighting,” adding that Israel is “preparing accordingly.”

“We adapt our way of warfare and the forces required for each area in the Gaza Strip to carry out the mission in the best way, as each area has different characteristics and different operational needs,” he said.

“These adaptations are designed to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of 2024, as the IDF must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year,” he added.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has reported that more than 20,000 Palestinians have died since the onset of the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

The war has prompted tensions to rise in the Middle East. U.S. military forces have engaged with Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea numerous times as they continue to target merchant ships. U.S. Central Command said Navy helicopters sank three small Houthi boats in the Red Sea early Sunday after the rebels launched an attack on a container ship.

Miranda Nazzaro contributed reporting.

— Updated at 11:02 a.m.